Latest news with #Erin
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
'Real Housewives' star Erin Lichy and her husband Abe are building a mezcal empire between diaper changes
Erin and Abe Lichy launched Mezcalum, a mezcal brand inspired by their love of Tulum, Mexico. The Lichys say their mezcal is a smooth, versatile product that will convert tequila drinkers. Their mezcal brand emphasizes sustainability and female empowerment in the spirits industry. It's a sunny Tuesday afternoon, and Erin Lichy is multitasking in the New York office she shares with her husband, Abe, in true modern-mom fashion. While simultaneously fielding interview questions, she's feeding her newborn, the couple's fourth child. "I'm pumping as we speak," the 37-year-old told Business Insider with a laugh, a candid glimpse into the chaos and joy of life as a new family of six after the addition of her baby boy in March. Erin, a real-estate agent and interior designer, and Abe, a lawyer, aren't just a professional New York power couple. As of two years ago, when Erin joined the rebooted cast of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City," they're also reality TV personalities. But being on TV hasn't stopped them from continuing to multitask. Shortly after joining "RHONY," the Lichys launched another venture: their mezcal brand, Mezcalum. That hangover-free feeling The genesis of Mezcalum is rooted in their love affair with Tulum, the beachy Mexican travel destination they describe as their "happy place." "We had mezcal for the first time there and fell in love," Erin said. Unlike the smoky mezcals that dominate the US market, what they tasted in Tulum was smooth, versatile, and surprisingly easy to mix or drink straight. Erin was so enamored by the spirit that she was determined to spread the word. "Somebody needs to bring this to America," Erin quipped of mezcal on a "Real Housewives of New York City" cast trip to Mexico. Though the moment drew social media backlash given mezcal's centuries-long presence and growing popularity in the U.S., the couple said they are genuinely invested in the culture and craft behind their brand. Pure mezcal, by Mexican law, must be 100% agave — unlike tequila, which can be just 51% agave, leaving room for additives that often lead to hangovers. It was a lightbulb moment for Erin, who realized that the spirit's pure-agave requirement was a major selling point. "There's an agave spirit that has to be natural, has to be organic," Erin said. For her, drinking mezcal has been a smoother experience than drinking wine or other liquors — especially the morning after. "We had a wild night drinking it with friends, and the next day I took a yoga class on the beach, had a green juice, and felt great," she said. "Especially as a mom waking up early, it's really hard for me to drink anything else," she added. A sustainable sip The Lichys saw an opportunity to disrupt a category they felt was "masculine-dominated" in both marketing and flavor profile. They reached out to their longtime friend, Chris Roth, as a partner; their partnership with their distiller, Carlos Mendez Blas, came through Abe's legal work in Mexico. "I'd been working with the largest tequila and mezcal law firm, Malacara Corporativo, in Mexico for years," Abe explained. That network helped them bypass the usual trial and error of finding a scalable, reliable partner. "When we were introduced to Carlos, it was really clear — this is our guy," Abe said. Carlos even became a part investor, a testament to his belief in the Lichys' vision. Their mezcal is crafted from a blend of agave species — espadín, the most commonly used agave variety for making mezcal, particularly in Oaxaca, Mexico. This diversity, Abe noted, is what sets mezcal apart from tequila, which can only be made from blue weber agave. "With mezcal, you can create ensembles — these blends that are impossible with tequila." Erin's platform as a real estate mogul and Real Housewife with a strong female following inspired a brand that was "beachy, light, and smooth" — a mezcal that could replace high-quality tequila in any cocktail. "We're on a mission to convert all tequila drinkers," Erin said. For Erin, it's also about creating space for women in an industry where they're often sidelined. "I'm actually in this brand," she said, adding that she's proud of the example she's setting for her children and for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Erin's commitment to sustainability runs deep — she studied sustainable development at NYU, and it shows in every aspect of the business. "I won't even send out plastic cups to our vendors," she said. Mezcalum's partner distillery in Oaxaca re-plants two agave plants for every one harvested, and employs a workforce that is more than 50% women. "There are very few women in the spirits industry who are actually in the brand, not just putting their name on it," Erin said. Running a business across borders can present unique challenges, especially with the recent landscape of tariffs and trade policy. Even before the threat of U.S. tariffs on Mexican spirits loomed, Abe used his legal acumen to plan ahead. "We entered into forward purchasing contracts and worked with our importer to capture FPT relief," he explained. Their proactive approach meant that even if tariffs had been imposed, their margins would have been protected. Ultimately, mezcal was exempted from the tariffs, but the possibility underscored the importance of planning and adaptability. It's a lot to manage, especially when Mezcalum isn't the Lichys' only baby — they have multiple other businesses, not to mention four children, one being an actual baby. So how do they do it? "We've become very good at compartmentalizing," Abe said. Both he and Erin have worked for themselves for years, and they "live and die by the calendar." They've also learned the hard way that they can't be hands-on with absolutely everything. "We made that mistake with our first business, a handbag line, where we never learned how to delegate," Abe admitted. Now, they're quick to ask for help and trust their teams. As the interview winds down, Erin and Abe reflect on their new chapter. "It hasn't really set in yet," Erin admitted of life as a family of six. But with a supportive partnership and businesses that reflect their values, the Lichys are enjoying every moment. Their mezcal isn't just a drink — it's a celebration of culture, sustainability, and the power of partnership.
Eater
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
Kingfisher Team Breaks the Sports Bar Archetype in Durham
is an editor of Eater's South region, covering Atlanta, Nashville, Miami, New Orleans, and the Carolinas. She has been writing about the food scene in the Carolinas and Savannah for 12 years. Erin has resided in Charleston, South Carolina, for the past 20 years. The owners of underground cocktail bar Kingfisher and retro lounge Queeny's have another project on the way for downtown Durham, North Carolina. Restaurateurs Michelle Vanderwalker and Sean Umstead recently announced that they will open a 'community-driven sports bar for everyone,' named E.O. Athletic Club, this fall at 341 West Main Street. The focus of E.O. Athletic Club will be fostering community through sports. As with Vanderwalker and Umstead's other projects, everyone is encouraged to visit — NFL fans, WNBA fans, ultimate frisbee fans, Olympic curling fans, and even Tar Heel fans in the Duke-centric town. The owners plan to host watch parties, theme nights, and competition games. Basically, this will not be your average bro-centric sports bar. E.O. Athletic Club will serve Northeast-inspired pizzas, loaded baked potatoes, wings, sandwiches, salads, and other high-end bar fare. The establishment will be open for lunch, dinner, and late-night takeout. The bar is named for biologist E. O. Wilson, who is the subject of the PBS film E.O. Wilson – Of Ants and Men. 'The name came from a conversation Michelle and I had about a documentary on E.O. Wilson,' says Umstead, 'Which said that nothing shows human desire for belonging better than sports and sports fandom. We really want to embrace the community and togetherness that comes so naturally from sports.' E.O. Wilson will join the growing trend of modern sports bars leaning away from the archetype of macho sports bars with sticky floors. Spots like Jolene, Jolene in Atlanta, the Sports Bra in Portland, and Watch Me! In Long Beach, California, challenge the notion that watching athletes is only for football-obsessed dude bros. Eater Carolinas All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
I ditched tiny city flat for ‘UK's Costa Del Sol'…I live on £10 a day – you don't have to go abroad for dream beach life
LIVING in a cramped city flat, care worker Erin Temple struggled to get by - often relying on food banks when her salary would barely cover her rent. But now she owns her own home with picture-perfect sea views - and has slashed her monthly living expenses by a staggering 90 per cent. Advertisement 14 Erin Temple has slashed her monthly living expenses by a staggering 90 per cent by swapping a UK city for life by the sea Credit: supplied 14 Erin now owns her own home with picture-perfect sea views Credit: supplied 14 Erin has swapped her one-bedroom high rise flat for a new life by the coast Credit: supplied 14 Erin in her previous flat, which cost her £1,200 a month with bills Credit: supplied And she didn't need to flee the country to beat the cost of living crisis. She simply bought a van for £650 and parked it on the Cornish coast. Advertisement Erin, 25, tells The Sun: 'I swapped a tiny flat for an off-grid home on wheels. The savings are gobsmacking. "I'm proof you don't have to move abroad to live affordably near world class beaches." Fed up with working gruelling shifts as a dementia and end-of-life carer for a salary that barely covered the rent on her She arrived in Truro with her two dogs, Rooster and Rebel, a backpack, and a tent - and was soon tipped off by a local at a camping site about an elderly couple who wanted to sell their van. Erin snapped up the 20-year-old green LDV Convoy, affectionately nicknamed Betsy, and secured a long term camping spot on a private airfield near Perranporth, North Cornwall surrounded by forest and with spectacular views over the Atlantic coast. Advertisement She says: 'It's a beautiful life on a budget.' Betsy's interior includes a double cabin style bed, built-in stove, sink and solar powered electrics which keep her energy costs down. The van is also fitted with a portable camping toilet and shower, though the campsite where Erin pays £300 a month to park offers full facilities. Her only other major costs are £100 for diesel and insurance, and around £20 a week for groceries, meaning her monthly outgoings total just £460. The exotic beach bar that people can't believe is in Britain She keeps costs low by shopping for yellow label supermarket bargains, buying from local farmers and finding free firewood for Betsy's log burner, which heats her home. Advertisement She adds: 'I've even started growing vegetables in buckets outside the van. "I used to pay nearly £1,200 a month in rent and bills. 'Now I live on around tenner a day, including food and accommodation. And I own my home." I was broken by low wages, high rents, and exhausting and often dangerous work. Erin Temple It's a far cry from Erin's previous life in the north east town where she would work 50 hours a week but still struggle to pay her bills. She says: "I was broken by low wages, high rents, and exhausting and often dangerous work. Advertisement "It got so bad that, on occasion, I used food banks despite working 12 hour shifts. 'Carers are the hidden workers who are chronically underpaid and caught in a constant cost of living crisis. Getting a foot on the property ladder seemed like an impossible dream. She admits: "Even with double shifts, I couldn't get ahead.' Turning point 14 Erin says her previous life left her exhausted and struggling to make ends meet Credit: supplied 14 During one particularly difficult shift Erin says she was pushed and ended up with bruised knees and bleeding arms Credit: supplied Advertisement 14 Erin worried if she stayed she'd end up a 'boozing mess' Credit: supplied Her turning point came after being pushed by a dementia patient during a 24-hour shift. She recalls: "I was exhausted. My knees were bleeding and my arms bruised. 'Other staff were meant to meet me at a local pub for an after work drink but didn't show. 'I looked around and realised I was standing there in the middle of the day surrounded by two old alcoholics. Advertisement 'I knew then if I did not change my life I'd end up a boozing mess, with no savings and no hope. That moment changed everything." 'Make or break' Erin gave notice on her flat, sold most of her belongings, and headed south. "I'd heard it was quieter, cheaper and the weather was tropical compared to up north," she recalls. "People said I was mad. Friends told me to take a holiday. But I knew it had to be make or break." Now Erin is living the dream in Cornwall - which since the pandemic has overtaken London as the most-searched-for location for property in the UK according to Rightmove. Advertisement Perranporth Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful surfing spots in Europe and dubbed 'Costa Del Perran' - after Spain's Costa Del Sol - by locals is on her doorstep. She says: 'I've never been happier. The weather's great, the people are kind, and the view is incredible. 'An elderly neighbour even brought me homegrown veg to welcome me when I first arrived. That never happened in the city." Saving thousands 14 Perranporth Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful surfing spots in Europe and dubbed 'Costa Del Perran' by locals is on her doorstep Credit: supplied 14 Erin loves life in her van, Betsy, with her two dogs Credit: supplied Advertisement 14 Erin can't believe how much better the weather is down south Credit: supplied 14 Life in the van is cosy but she's learned to de-clutter and down-size Credit: supplied Determined that Betsy will be her home for years to come, Erin is currently building storage, redecorating and expanding her bucket garden. She says: "My dogs love it here. I am planning on studying psychology and counselling at a local college next year and finally have a life I love. 'I'm saving money, making plans and my mental health has never been better.' Advertisement Erin adds that she's happily single at the moment - which she's thankful for as a bloke might be a bit of a squeeze with her and the two dogs. She chuckles: 'Living in a van, you downsize and de-clutter. I might find myself a nice Cornish lad and we'll just have to make sure he can fit in somehow!' I'm saving money, making plans and my mental health has never been better Erin Temple Erin is one of many embracing the Since 2019, the number of Brits living in vans, buses or converted vehicles has exploded by 2,280 per cent, from 21,000 to over half a million. Cornwall is a hotspot for digital nomads even in the off season, with van lifers lured by the mild winters, coastal beauty and affordability. Advertisement Farmers are renting out fields and people in local towns rent out their driveways to meet demand. While Cornwall is known for its luxurious seaside mansions and celebrity residents, including A cappuccino in Cornwall costs an average of £2.80, a third cheaper than £4.05 in London. A pint of lager averages £4.79, compared to £5.99 in the capital, and a loaf of bread is 92p compared to £1.64. For Erin, it's the perfect balance of quality of life on a budget. Advertisement She says: 'We're Gen Z - we don't want to work just to pay bills. We want purpose, nature, creativity, community. Cornwall gives us that. "I'm healthier, happier, and finally hopeful. I've swapped a high rise flat for a van on the Cornish coast, and I wouldn't change a thing.' 14 For Erin, her new life is the perfect balance Credit: supplied 14 Erin loves the freedom that van life provides Credit: supplied 14 Erin says the locals in Cornwall have been very welcoming to her Credit: supplied Advertisement
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I ditched tiny city flat for ‘UK's Costa Del Sol'…I live on £10 a day – you don't have to go abroad for dream beach life
Erin reveals the turning-point, which happened during a 24-hour-long shift at work, where she decided enough was enough SHORE THING I ditched tiny city flat for 'UK's Costa Del Sol'…I live on £10 a day – you don't have to go abroad for dream beach life Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIVING in a cramped city flat, care worker Erin Temple struggled to get by - often relying on food banks when her salary would barely cover her rent. But now she owns her own home with picture-perfect sea views - and has slashed her monthly living expenses by a staggering 90 per cent. 14 Erin Temple has slashed her monthly living expenses by a staggering 90 per cent by swapping a UK city for life by the sea Credit: supplied 14 Erin now owns her own home with picture-perfect sea views Credit: supplied 14 Erin has swapped her one-bedroom high rise flat for a new life by the coast Credit: supplied 14 Erin in her previous flat, which cost her £1,200 a month with bills Credit: supplied And she didn't need to flee the country to beat the cost of living crisis. She simply bought a van for £650 and parked it on the Cornish coast. Erin, 25, tells The Sun: 'I swapped a tiny flat for an off-grid home on wheels. The savings are gobsmacking. "I'm proof you don't have to move abroad to live affordably near world class beaches." Fed up with working gruelling shifts as a dementia and end-of-life carer for a salary that barely covered the rent on her Tyne and Wear one-bedroom flat, Erin upped sticks and moved to Cornwall with just £1,000 to her name. She arrived in Truro with her two dogs, Rooster and Rebel, a backpack, and a tent - and was soon tipped off by a local at a camping site about an elderly couple who wanted to sell their van. Erin snapped up the 20-year-old green LDV Convoy, affectionately nicknamed Betsy, and secured a long term camping spot on a private airfield near Perranporth, North Cornwall surrounded by forest and with spectacular views over the Atlantic coast. She says: 'It's a beautiful life on a budget.' Betsy's interior includes a double cabin style bed, built-in stove, sink and solar powered electrics which keep her energy costs down. The van is also fitted with a portable camping toilet and shower, though the campsite where Erin pays £300 a month to park offers full facilities. Her only other major costs are £100 for diesel and insurance, and around £20 a week for groceries, meaning her monthly outgoings total just £460. The exotic beach bar that people can't believe is in Britain She keeps costs low by shopping for yellow label supermarket bargains, buying from local farmers and finding free firewood for Betsy's log burner, which heats her home. She adds: 'I've even started growing vegetables in buckets outside the van. "I used to pay nearly £1,200 a month in rent and bills. 'Now I live on around tenner a day, including food and accommodation. And I own my home." I was broken by low wages, high rents, and exhausting and often dangerous work. Erin Temple It's a far cry from Erin's previous life in the north east town where she would work 50 hours a week but still struggle to pay her bills. She says: "I was broken by low wages, high rents, and exhausting and often dangerous work. "It got so bad that, on occasion, I used food banks despite working 12 hour shifts. 'Carers are the hidden workers who are chronically underpaid and caught in a constant cost of living crisis. Getting a foot on the property ladder seemed like an impossible dream. She admits: "Even with double shifts, I couldn't get ahead.' Turning point 14 Erin says her previous life left her exhausted and struggling to make ends meet Credit: supplied 14 During one particularly difficult shift Erin says she was pushed and ended up with bruised knees and bleeding arms Credit: supplied 14 Erin worried if she stayed she'd end up a 'boozing mess' Credit: supplied Her turning point came after being pushed by a dementia patient during a 24-hour shift. She recalls: "I was exhausted. My knees were bleeding and my arms bruised. 'Other staff were meant to meet me at a local pub for an after work drink but didn't show. 'I looked around and realised I was standing there in the middle of the day surrounded by two old alcoholics. 'I knew then if I did not change my life I'd end up a boozing mess, with no savings and no hope. That moment changed everything." 'Make or break' Erin gave notice on her flat, sold most of her belongings, and headed south. "I'd heard it was quieter, cheaper and the weather was tropical compared to up north," she recalls. "People said I was mad. Friends told me to take a holiday. But I knew it had to be make or break." Now Erin is living the dream in Cornwall - which since the pandemic has overtaken London as the most-searched-for location for property in the UK according to Rightmove. Perranporth Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful surfing spots in Europe and dubbed 'Costa Del Perran' - after Spain's Costa Del Sol - by locals is on her doorstep. She says: 'I've never been happier. The weather's great, the people are kind, and the view is incredible. 'An elderly neighbour even brought me homegrown veg to welcome me when I first arrived. That never happened in the city." Saving thousands 14 Perranporth Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful surfing spots in Europe and dubbed 'Costa Del Perran' by locals is on her doorstep Credit: supplied 14 Erin loves life in her van, Betsy, with her two dogs Credit: supplied 14 Erin can't believe how much better the weather is down south Credit: supplied 14 Life in the van is cosy but she's learned to de-clutter and down-size Credit: supplied Determined that Betsy will be her home for years to come, Erin is currently building storage, redecorating and expanding her bucket garden. She says: "My dogs love it here. I am planning on studying psychology and counselling at a local college next year and finally have a life I love. 'I'm saving money, making plans and my mental health has never been better.' Erin adds that she's happily single at the moment - which she's thankful for as a bloke might be a bit of a squeeze with her and the two dogs. She chuckles: 'Living in a van, you downsize and de-clutter. I might find myself a nice Cornish lad and we'll just have to make sure he can fit in somehow!' I'm saving money, making plans and my mental health has never been better Erin Temple Erin is one of many embracing the van life movement. Since 2019, the number of Brits living in vans, buses or converted vehicles has exploded by 2,280 per cent, from 21,000 to over half a million. Cornwall is a hotspot for digital nomads even in the off season, with van lifers lured by the mild winters, coastal beauty and affordability. Farmers are renting out fields and people in local towns rent out their driveways to meet demand. While Cornwall is known for its luxurious seaside mansions and celebrity residents, including Cate Blanchett, Gordon Ramsay and Dawn French, costs can be surprisingly low. A cappuccino in Cornwall costs an average of £2.80, a third cheaper than £4.05 in London. A pint of lager averages £4.79, compared to £5.99 in the capital, and a loaf of bread is 92p compared to £1.64. For Erin, it's the perfect balance of quality of life on a budget. She says: 'We're Gen Z - we don't want to work just to pay bills. We want purpose, nature, creativity, community. Cornwall gives us that. "I'm healthier, happier, and finally hopeful. I've swapped a high rise flat for a van on the Cornish coast, and I wouldn't change a thing.' 14 For Erin, her new life is the perfect balance Credit: supplied 14 Erin loves the freedom that van life provides Credit: supplied 14 Erin says the locals in Cornwall have been very welcoming to her Credit: supplied
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Black bear spotted near Erin, Ont. homes
Ontario Provincial Police are warning residents about a bear seen in Erin, Ont, July 16, 2025 (Courtesy: OPP). Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are warning residents about a bear seen in Erin, Ont. on Wednesday. Wellington OPP was informed of a small black bear walking through a residential area near Pine Ridge Road around 9 p.m. They said nothing was damaged aside from a few bird feeders that were knocked over. black bear erin Ontario Provincial Police are warning residents about a bear seen in Erin, Ont, July 16, 2025 (Courtesy: OPP). OPP have reassured that bears coming into neighbourhoods aren't always threats to public safety, as long as precautions against startling or threatening the bear are taken. They said it's best to keep away from the bear and not block their way or exits. Getting inside as soon as a bear is spotted is recommended. OPP said to warn others in the area about the bear and ensure children and pets are indoors. Dogs should be on a leash. black bear erin Ontario Provincial Police are warning residents about a bear seen in Erin, Ont, July 16, 2025 (Courtesy: OPP). If a bear had been attracted to the area previously, OPP recommended any garbage or food that they were interested it be removed. What to do if a bear approaches black bear erin Ontario Provincial Police are warning residents about a bear seen in Erin, Ont, July 16, 2025 (Courtesy: OPP). OPP have warned the public to always be cautious around a bear. It's best to: Slowly back away while watching the bear Do not turn or run if the bear comes up to you Make noise, throw rocks or sticks and make yourself appear big Carry a noise making device like a whistle or air horn Keep backing away while acting aggressively if the bear continues to approach Only use bear repellent if the bear is attacking or is very close to you Do not play dead unless it's a mother bear defending its cubs Fight back using a large stick or rock as deterrents Bears become more common in the area during bear season, from April 1 to November 30. OPP said bear attacks are rare but if a bear becomes an immediate threat, to call 911 or OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Call Bear Wise toll-fire at 1-866-514-2327 for advice on how to avoid encounters.
